'Daily Bread'
Monday, April 22, 2024
“The soul that loves God has its rest in God and in God alone. In all the paths that men walk in in the world, they do not attain peace until they draw nigh to hope in God.”
- St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 56, 89
Daily Scripture Reading for Friday, April 19, 2024
6th Hour Reading: Isaiah 48:17-49:4
17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants also would have been like the sand, and the offspring of your body like the grains of sand; his name would not have been cut off nor destroyed from before Me.”
20 Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, declare, proclaim this, utter it to the end of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed His servant, Jacob!”
21 And they did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow from the rock for them; He also split the rock, and the waters gushed out.
22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
1 “Listen, O coastlands, to me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb; from the matrix of my mother he has made mention of my name.
2 And He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He has hidden me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver He has hidden me.”
3 “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’
4 Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God.’”
Vespers 2nd Reading: Proverbs 19:16-25
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.
18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.
19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand.
22 What is desired in a man is kindness, and a poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.
24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
St. Theodore the Sykeote, Bishop of Anastasiopolis (613)
Saint Theodore was born out of wedlock in Sykeon, a village of Galatia in Asia Minor. From his childhood, he was under the protection and guidance of the holy Great Martyr George, who often appeared to him, and was as it were his trainer in the hard ascetical discipline which he took upon himself all his life.
After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he became a monk in his native Galatia. About 584 he was ordained Bishop of Anastasiopolis in Galatia, where he shepherded his flock for ten years. After this, he asked to be allowed to be relieved of the duties of governing the diocese. His request was granted but he was commanded to retain his rank as bishop. Saint Theodore was a great worker of miracles, and also received from God the power to cast out even the most obstinate demons, who called him "Iron-eater" because of his stern way of life. Having passed throughout many regions, worked numerous miracles, and strengthened the faithful in piety, he departed this life in 613.
The Mystery of the Eastern Orthodox Church
This week’s calendar reminders:
Monday 4/22: Lenten Matins 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday 4/23: No services or events
Wednesday 4/24: Pre-sanctified Liturgy 6:30 p.m.
Thursday 4/25: Lenten Matins 8:30 a.m.
Friday 4/26: Vespers of Lazarus 7 p.m.
Saturday 4/27: Lazarus Saturday Liturgy 9:15 a.m.; Vigil for Palm Sunday 6 p.m.
Sunday 4/28: Palm Sunday Baptismal Liturgy 9:15 a.m.
